Best Dispersed Camping in Oregon

With a strong reputation for adventures in nature, Oregon sits high on many hikers’ and campers’ outdoor bucket lists. And with over 50 percent of state land declared public, camping in Oregon is literally everywhere. To help you get started, here’s some of the best spots to pitch a tent and catch a view!

While the Cascades mountain range used to be a major obstacle for settlers riding the Oregon trail, it has now become an outdoor adventurer’s playground. Mt. Hood, the fourth highest peak in the Cascades and just two hours outside of Portland, is home the most popular park for campers looking for a taste of Oregon’s natural diversity. Aside from the snowy mountain top, the old-growth forests and flowing water features make this a prime location for camping in Oregon. 

Lake lovers might appreciate the serene views of the Wy’east at campsites around Trillium Lake. Waking up to the fog that drifts on the lake and Mt. Hood standing tall behind it is a picture-perfect moment every camper dreams of. Rent yourself a boat, canoe or kayak and spend the day gliding around the 63-acre lake or angling for local trout.

If you’d like to ditch some of the crowds around Mt. Hood while also getting a hike in, make your way through a canopy of old-growth forest on the Old Salmon River Trail. The backwoods sites along the trail offer a natural escape to some of the best camping in Oregon.

If you’re looking for a more active natural beauty, venture about three hours south from Mt. Hood to Silver Falls State Park outside of Salem. People call it the “crown jewel” of the Oregon State Parks system, and once you visit, you know why. The scenic waterfall hike offers a 360-degree view of a 178-foot cascade (where else can you hike behind a waterfall?) With sites a hike away from the falls, anyone looking for camping in Oregon can’t miss this spot. Throughout your exploration around Oregon, you can find all the best campsites with The Dyrt.

Best Dispersed Sites in Oregon (212)

    1. Mount Thielsen Wilderness

    19 Reviews
    Diamond Lake, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 383-5300

    "When I visited the Crater Lake area, I was well aware that finding last minute accommodations was difficult to impossible."

    "Stayed here for 3 nights while visiting Crater Lake NP and it was the perfect basecamp.

    Easy access to the Forest Road off 138 with lots of open camp spots."

    2. Oregon Badlands Dispersed

    19 Reviews
    Bend, OR

    "Nabbed a nice quiet spot about a mile up the dirt road. The fire ring looked like a bottledrop convention, but I quickly "Molly Maided" the site and was back to camping in no time."

    "We loved this spot, it was a perfect place to stay with our camper van. Easy to find in the dark and the roads, paved & dirt, were easy to maneuver."

    3. Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site

    18 Reviews
    Fort Klamath, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 783-2471

    $11 - $14 / night

    "The spring is stunning and the ground was soft and flat. Plenty of firewood around to start a cooking fire. Bugs were bad around sunset, but bug spray helped."

    "The campground is situated right next to a beautifully clear blue river and wooded hillsides—perfect for early morning serenity."

    4. Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground

    17 Reviews
    Terrebonne, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 416-6700

    "Also very hot and dry, as to be expected in the high desert. The scent of Mock orange hung heavy in the evenings air and the waterfalls area had a pool nearby you could hang out in."

    "Breathtaking drives and not hard to find with given coordinates. Dirt roads are not too hard to drive but during the dry months it is extremely dusty."

    5. Painted Hills Dispersed

    15 Reviews
    Mitchell, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 573-4400

    "We stayed at Priest Hole, which is a few miles past the Painted Hills visitor center on dirt roads. We saw a few vans and a pop-up trailer, but no RVs."

    "We spent a weekend in June celebrating our anniversary in this stunning location. The Painted Hills are so beautiful. The hikes and trails are so well thought out and maintained."

    6. South Lake

    16 Reviews
    Beaver, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 750-7000

    "South Lake is fairly small, I consider it more of a pond to be honest, but a great place for disperse camping. The quickest drive in is a bit sketchy."

    "Do not drive here if you can't drive on the edge of a cliff on gravel roads. it's bumpy and definitely not for the faint of heart. other than that, it's a great site with nice pullouts and camping for"

    7. Hult Pond

    15 Reviews
    Blachly, OR
    Website
    +1 (541) 683-6600

    "There are only a few flat spots for RVs but quite a few decent spots for tent camping next to the pond. The west side of the pond has at least 2 spots that are a good distance away from the others."

    "No hook ups, but you can access the river."

    8. Tillamook State Forest Dispersed Camping

    14 Reviews
    Tillamook State Forest, OR
    Website
    +1 (503) 357-2191

    "Accessible through the Jones Creek campground turn off, continue up the forest roads past the OHV staging area and you’re in paradise!"

    "My mistake, these coordinates took us to the top of the mountain. It is currently an active logging area, so the truckers are out at 3am. The road up was a very narrow road."

    9. Elliott State Forest Dispersed

    13 Reviews
    North Bend, OR
    Website

    "Needed a last minute to car camp that was close to the coast, found these dispersed sites online and figured it try it out."

    "Nice and close to Bandon. No trouble accessing in our midsize suv. It was muddy at the site, and unfortunately, those before us left a lot of trash. Did my best to clean up when was left behind."

    10. Sisters, Oregon - Dispersed Camping

    10 Reviews
    Sisters, OR
    Website

    "Love this dispersed camping area just south of Sisters, OR. We've camped here a few times over the years and there are never many campers around."

    "Maybe 15min outside bend, a little hard to see the turn off in the dark, but once we did it was easy to find a spot and set up camp! We only stayed one night and were car camping so it was perfect!"

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Showing results 1-10 of 212 campgrounds

Dispersed Camping Reviews in Oregon

577 Reviews of 212 Oregon Campgrounds



Guide to Oregon

Oregon offers a wealth of opportunities for dispersed camping, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to immerse themselves in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and a variety of amenities, these spots are perfect for a weekend getaway or an extended stay.

Top Activities While Free Camping in Oregon

  • Enjoy hiking and breathtaking views at Mount Thielsen Wilderness, where you can explore numerous trails and enjoy the serene environment.
  • Experience the beauty of the Painted Hills while camping at Painted Hills Dispersed, which offers easy access to scenic trails and unique geological formations.
  • Take a short drive to Crater Lake from Jackson F. Kimball State Recreation Site for a day of exploration and stunning views of one of the deepest lakes in the U.S.

Dispersed Campers Should Check Out These Unique Spots

  • For a peaceful retreat, South Lake provides a quiet atmosphere with picnic tables and access to beautiful lakeside views.
  • If you're looking for a family-friendly environment, Steelhead Falls Trailhead & Campground offers a great base for hiking and enjoying the nearby river.
  • Experience the rugged beauty of the Oregon Badlands at Oregon Badlands Dispersed, where you can find solitude and expansive views of the desert landscape.

Tips for Free and Dispersed Camping in Oregon